Nikita Vanjara — now also known as Nikita Vijay — is an Indian entrepreneur best known publicly as the former wife of Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik and the current wife of former Indian opening batsman Murali Vijay. While her personal life became one of Indian cricket’s most discussed off-field stories in the early 2010s, Nikita has since built an independent identity for herself as a businesswoman. This article brings together everything currently known about her — her background, her relationships, her business ventures, and where she stands today.
Quick Facts About Nikita Vanjara
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nikita Vanjara (later Nikita Vijay) |
| Raised In | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Reported Birthplace | Manor, Palghar district, Maharashtra (unverified — see note below) |
| Education | Commerce graduate (reported) |
| First Marriage | Dinesh Karthik (May 2007 – 2012) |
| Current Marriage | Murali Vijay (2012–present) |
| Children | Three (two sons and a daughter) |
| Profession | Entrepreneur — fitness studio; also linked to a children’s clothing label |
| Businesses | Tatva/Tattva – The Studio |
| Known For | Association with two Indian international cricketers; entrepreneurial ventures |
Early Life and Background
Nikita was largely raised in Chennai, where she grew up in the same social circle as Dinesh Karthik. Some sources trace her birthplace further back to Manor, a small town in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, though this detail is not corroborated across multiple independent sources and should be treated as unconfirmed.
Her father, Deepak Vanjara, reportedly shared a close friendship with Krishna Kumar, Dinesh Karthik’s father — a connection that brought the two families together long before Karthik became a well-known international cricketer. This childhood friendship between Nikita and Dinesh gradually grew into a relationship, with both families supportive of the eventual marriage. She is reported to hold a commerce degree, though her specific school and university are not consistently documented in public records.
Marriage to Dinesh Karthik
Nikita married Dinesh Karthik in May 2007, when Karthik was just 21 years old and his international career was still in its early stages. Some accounts describe the wedding as a low-profile ceremony held at a suburban Mumbai hotel, attended mainly by close family and friends — reportedly kept modest partly because national team commitments (a tour of Bangladesh) prevented several of Karthik’s teammates from attending.
For a young cricketer just starting out, marrying a childhood companion was widely seen as a source of stability, and for a few years the marriage appeared to be a happy one built on a long-standing family connection.
The Turning Point and Divorce
By 2012, cracks had reportedly begun to show. Multiple reports from that period suggest Nikita had grown close to Murali Vijay, who played alongside Dinesh Karthik on the Tamil Nadu domestic team. According to some accounts, Karthik learned of the relationship during a domestic T20 tournament and filed for divorce soon after, bringing their five-year marriage to an end.
It’s worth being clear-eyed here: these details come from media speculation and entertainment reporting rather than direct, on-record statements from Nikita, Karthik, or Vijay themselves. None of the three has given a detailed public account of exactly what happened. What is consistently reported is that the divorce was finalized relatively quickly and quietly, despite heavy public and media interest, and that it strained the professional relationship between Karthik and Vijay, who had played together for both Tamil Nadu and India. Karthik, notably, never addressed the matter in public interviews and kept his focus on his cricket career — a response widely seen as a mature reaction to a very public personal situation.
Marriage to Murali Vijay
Nikita married Murali Vijay shortly after her divorce from Karthik — some sources place this as early as January 2012, though given the divorce is also dated to 2012, exact timelines vary and are not fully verifiable. The marriage has now lasted well over a decade.
Murali Vijay played 61 Test matches for India, scoring 3,983 Test runs, and was known for his calm, technically correct batting at the top of the order. He also represented Chennai Super Kings during the early years of the IPL. Nikita — now often referred to as Nikita Vijay — has largely stayed out of the media spotlight since this second marriage, in sharp contrast to the intense public attention that surrounded her divorce from Karthik.
The couple has three children together: two sons and a daughter. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, this article does not repeat the children’s names, even though some sources online have published them — details about minors are best left to the family to share, not aggregated from gossip blogs.
Life as an Entrepreneur
Away from cricket entirely, Nikita has built a career of her own.
Tatva (Tattva) – The Studio
In 2020, Nikita co-founded a fitness business called Tatva – The Studio, alongside interior designer Ram Krish(na). Reportedly inspired by her husband’s own commitment to fitness, the studio offers a range of workout formats, including:
- Aerial yoga
- Mat yoga
- Animal flow yoga
- Dance-based fitness classes
The studio has positioned itself as a boutique fitness space in Chennai, catering to people looking for varied, non-traditional workouts beyond a standard gym setup.
Children’s Clothing
Some reports also link Nikita to a premium children’s clothing brand aimed at young girls (commonly referenced as “Label Eva”), though this connection — including whether the name relates to her daughter — is not something that can be independently confirmed and should be treated as unverified.
Through her business ventures, Nikita has carved out an identity in Chennai’s fitness and lifestyle scene distinct from her earlier, more public association with two well-known cricketers.
Net Worth
Nikita Vanjara’s net worth has not been officially confirmed by any verified source. Figures circulating online vary widely and are not backed by disclosed financial statements, so any specific number should be treated with skepticism. Her income is understood to come primarily from her fitness business.
Where Is She Now?
Nikita occasionally shares family moments on social media — birthday posts for Murali Vijay and glimpses of family life — while otherwise keeping a fairly private profile. She is sometimes seen at cricket stadiums supporting her husband from the stands, alongside their children, a role many cricketers’ spouses take on away from constant media attention.
Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik moved on to marry Indian squash player Deepika Pallikal in 2015; the couple has twin sons. Karthik went on to have an extensive career across formats for India, notably in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders and later Royal Challengers Bengaluru, before retiring from IPL cricket in 2024 and transitioning into commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Nikita Vanjara married to Dinesh Karthik?
Why did Nikita Vanjara and Dinesh Karthik divorce?
Is Nikita Vanjara married to Murali Vijay now?
How many children does Nikita Vanjara have?
Is Nikita Vanjara a cricketer herself?
Where is Nikita Vanjara from?
Final Thoughts
Nikita Vanjara’s story is easy to reduce to a single headline — the very public split from Dinesh Karthik and her marriage to his former teammate, Murali Vijay. But the fuller picture is one of a woman who moved past a publicly scrutinized personal chapter in her twenties and quietly rebuilt a life centered on family and entrepreneurship. As with many people caught up in tabloid narratives, several details of her story remain unconfirmed or inconsistently reported — which is exactly why they’re worth reading with a critical eye rather than taking at face value.
Also, Read About: Jaya Bhardwaj | Rishita Patel | Ziva Dhoni Age | Rushma Nehra